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Anglers to face cruelty checks by SSPCA

FISH farms and anglers face checks by inspectors from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) amid new scientific claims that fish can feel pain. It has confirmed that it will investigate complaints alleging cruelty and is prepared to prosecute when appropriate.

Dr Victoria Braithwaite, of Edinburgh University’s school of biological sciences, studied the type of pain receptors in fish and concluded they were similar to those of mammals.

She and her co-author, Professor Felicity Huntingford of Glasgow University’s institute of biomedical and life sciences, also studied how fish reacted to unpleasant stimuli and found that their responses were no different from more “advanced” creatures.

The SSPCA said its officers would investigate complaints of alleged cruelty at fish farms and fisheries. A spokeswoman added: “We believe that fish do have the capacity to suffer and the thinking of government, the fishing industry and sports fishermen should